Read Online A Puzzle in a Pear Tree by Parnell Hall - Free Book Online Page A

like a little boy dressed up for church.
    “Ah, there you are,” Becky crooned. “Chief Harper, would you tell your minion he doesn’t have to follow me into the john?”
    Dan Finley’s mouth dropped open. “Why, I never,” he sputtered.
    “I’m sure you didn’t,” Chief Harper interposed. “Becky just likes to tease.”
    “Becky would like to have a life,” Becky Baldwin snapped. “This constant surveillance is a drag.”
    “You’re the actress who received the threatening missives?” Jonathon Doddsworth was leaning forward with interest.
    Becky glanced at him. “I remember you. You’re the father of one of the girls. Went back to England, as I recall.”
    “Jonathon Doddsworth, of Scotland Yard.”
    Becky smiled. “Amazing you can say that with a straight face. Sounds right out of a PBS episode. No offense meant, of course. Listen, do you have any influence with the local cops? I’m being hounded to death, and it’s putting a real damper on the yuletide season.”
    “I’m sorry about that,” Chief Harper said. “I know you feel these are useless precautions. But I had to see if the threat was real. It would appear that it is not. So, as of tomorrow, I am discontinuing police surveillance.”
    “Well, that’s a relief. You mean I won’t have an armed guard in the stable?”
    Chief Harper frowned. “I beg your pardon?”
    “The live Nativity. I’m playing the Virgin Mary. There are shepherds and wise men in the tableau, but I can’t recall any cops.”
    “When is that?”
    Becky jerked her thumb at Dan Finley. “If I tell you, do you promise not to send Kojak here? It’s tomorrow morning from eleven to twelve.” She turned to Sherry. “You’re twelve to one. Isn’t that nice? You can watch me, see how it’s done.”
    “We had a rehearsal,” Sherry pointed out.
    “Yes, but I wasn’t there. Isn’t that silly? They should have had someone show you who’s done it before. Don’t worry, you can take your cue from me.”
    Sherry smiled, then pressed her lips together tightly.
    Doddsworth raised his bushy eyebrows at Chief Harper. “You believe Miss Rebecca’s no longer in any peril?”
    “I do.”
    “I wish I shared your optimism.”
    “I wish I had your experience. Would you care to drop by the station tomorrow, perhaps give me the benefit of your thoughts?”
    “It would be my pleasure.”
    Cora Felton had to stifle a harrumph.
She
had not been invited to the police station.
She
had not been invited to share her thoughts. Not that she had any thoughts to share. Even so.
    On the edge of the crowd, Sherry Carter sidled up to Aaron Grant. “Hi.”
    “Hi.”
    “I’ve hardly seen you.”
    “Sorry. My parents’ parties are like that.”
    “I was hoping to get a chance to talk to them.”
    “Christmas parties are tough. They’re pretty busy.”
    “So I see.”
    Aaron lowered his voice. “Wanna see my room?”
    “I’ve seen your room.”
    “What’s your point?”
    Sherry looked up at Aaron. He winked roguishly.
    Sherry smiled. “Okay. Show me your room.”

10
    “I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU’RE COMING.” SHERRY WAS PILOTING the Toyota through the freshly fallen snow.
    “And miss seeing you play the Virgin M? Surely you jest.”
    “You can’t kid me, Cora. You’re on the trail of our secret stalker. You just want to see if anyone makes a move on Becky Baldwin.”
    “The thought never crossed my mind.”
    “I’ll bet it didn’t.” Sherry glanced at the dashboard clock. It read 11:36. “I’m surprised you didn’t want to come an hour early to watch Becky set up.”
    “Chief Harper said not to.”
    Sherry frowned. “What?”
    “Last night. While you were upstairs with Clark Kent. He told me if I was anywhere
near
that crèche when old Becky took her place, he’d run me in for disturbing the peace.”
    “Why in the world would he do that?”
    “You’re the genius here. Why do you think?”
    Sherry blinked. “You mean he
doesn’t
think it’s a gag? And